SCI102: Physical Science Students explore the relationship between matter and energy by investigating force and motion, the structure of atoms, the structure and properties of matter, chemical reactions, and the interactions of energy and matter. Students develop skill in measuring, solving problems, using laboratory apparatuses, following safety procedures, and adhering to experimental procedures. Students focus on inquiry-based learning, with hands-on laboratory investigations making up half of the learning experience. Course length: Two semesters Materials: Physical Science: A Laboratory Guide; materials for laboratory experiments Prerequisites: K 12 middle school Physical Science, or equivalent Semester One Unit 1: Matter and Energy In this unit, students learn about the depth of physical science, the relationship between matter and energy, and scientific methods. Students use scientific methods in a laboratory setting and demonstrate their results through graphing. Semester Introduction Dimensions: Distance, Time, and Mass Matter, Energy, and the Scientific Method Creating and Analyzing Graphs Laboratory: Drop and Bounce 1 Laboratory: Drop and Bounce 2 Unit 2: Forces and Motion In this unit, students study Newton s three laws of motion, and they demonstrate those laws in a hands-on laboratory and in online simulations. Students also learn to define acceleration and force. Describing and Measuring Motion Acceleration Forces Laboratory: Drop and Bounce Revisited Newton s First Law of Motion Newton s Second Law of Motion Newton s Third Law of Motion Laboratory: Mass in Motion 1 Laboratory: Mass in Motion 2 Unit 3: Application of Forces Students explore friction, gravity, and force in this unit. They begin to understand the concept of vectors and learn to describe force in terms of vectors. Friction Gravity Gravity and Motion Forces and Vectors www.k12.com { Pg. 1 }
Laboratory: Net Force 1 Laboratory: Net Force 2 Unit 4: Fluid Forces An understanding of fluid forces is important to the study of physical science. In this unit, students observe and graph how shape influences movement through a fluid. They learn to define density and understand its relationship to buoyancy. Students relate the concept of pressure to buoyancy. Students learn to describe Pascal s and Bernoulli s principles. Pressure Buoyancy Laboratory: Density and Buoyancy 1 Laboratory: Density and Buoyancy 2 Pascal s Principle Bernoulli s Principle Laboratory: Shapes and Fluid Forces 1 Laboratory: Shapes and Fluid Forces 2 Unit 5: Energy Energy has a profound effect on our physical environment. In this unit, students first develop a firm basis for understanding changes in energy and identifying potential and kinetic energy. Designing a thermos in a laboratory provides the basis for the development of students understanding of how heat moves. As in other units, students understanding of facts stems from their mastery of the big ideas of physical science. Energy Energy Change Potential and Kinetic Energy Laboratory: Pendulum 1 Laboratory: Pendulum 2 Laboratory: Elasticity 1 Laboratory: Elasticity 2 Heat Energy How Energy Moves Laboratory: Heat Transfer 1 Laboratory: Heat Transfer 2 Laboratory: Design a Thermos 1 Laboratory: Design a Thermos 2 Unit 6: Work Work and the ability to do work are the focus of this unit. Students explore the properties of a simple machine. They learn the factors that influence force. In their exploration, they also determine the effect of pulleys and levers two simple machines. Work Simple Machines and Mechanical Advantage Power Laboratory: Levers 1 Laboratory: Levers 2 Laboratory: Pulleys 1 Laboratory: Pulleys 2 www.k12.com { Pg. 2 }
Unit 7: Waves The properties of waves and the effects of waves on physical systems are the focus of this unit. Students explore the different kinds of waves, and they learn the factors that influence waves. Students learn to define frequency, wavelength, and pitch. Finally, students learn to demonstrate and explain the Doppler effect. Introduction to Waves Properties of Waves Wave Energy Transverse and Longitudinal Waves Laboratory: Waves 1 Laboratory: Waves 2 Sound Frequency, Wavelength, and Pitch Laboratory: Doppler Effect 1 Laboratory: Doppler Effect 2 Unit 8: Light In this unit, students thoroughly explore the concept of light. They study the speed of light and how it is determined, the properties of the electromagnetic spectrum, and color. They learn to define reflection and refraction, and describe their characteristics. Light Speed of Light Reflection and Refraction Electromagnetic Spectrum Color Unit 9: Electricity Electricity and magnetism are the focus of this unit. Students explore electricity and magnetism as they build an electric motor. They learn the components that make up circuits. Electricity and Magnetism Laboratory: Electric Motor 1 Laboratory: Electric Motor 2 Circuits Unit 10: Semester Review and Test Semester Review Semester Test www.k12.com { Pg. 3 }
Semester Two Unit 1: Nature of Matter The difference between matter and energy is the focus of this unit. Students examine the classification of matter, the nature of energy, and viscosity. In their laboratory, they demonstrate knowledge of these concepts through observation and data reporting. Semester Introduction Nature of Matter Classification of Matter Matter and Energy Laboratory: Viscosity 1 Laboratory: Viscosity 2 Unit 2: States of Matter Phase changes are a tangible way to understand the states of matter. In this unit, students observe phase changes. In their observation, they examine the properties of heat and energy. By the end of this unit, students have a solid knowledge of thermodynamics. States of Matter Matter Changes State Kinetic Theory of Matter Laboratory: Evaporation 1 Laboratory: Evaporation 2 Laboratory: Phase Change 1 Laboratory: Phase Change 2 Laws of Thermodynamics Heat Energy and Matter Laboratory: Endothermic Process 1 Laboratory: Endothermic Process 2 Unit 3: Gas Laws The environment is made up of gases. Students examine the laws that govern gases, paying particular attention to the effects of pressure, temperature, and volume. The gas laws are demonstrated in the laboratory. Gases Pressure, Temperature, and Volume Introduction to the Gas Laws Laboratory: Gas Laws 1 Laboratory: Gas Laws 2 Unit 4: Atoms Students gain a firm basis for understanding the atom and its characteristics. Students look at the atom in greater detail, including the atomic model, atomic number, atomic mass, and atomic nucleus. Building on the big ideas of the atom, students develop a strong central basis for understanding radioactive dating, fusion, and fission. Atoms Atomic Model Atomic Number www.k12.com { Pg. 4 }
Atomic Mass Nucleus of the Atom Radioactivity Radioactive Dating Fusion and Fission Unit 5: Elements Students explore the properties of elements and the placement of elements in the periodic table. They begin to understand why an element is placed where it is in the table and draw conclusions about that element based on its location. They demonstrate an understanding of metals and nonmetals and the nature of compounds. Elements Periodic Table 1 Periodic Table 2 Properties of Metals and Nonmetals Elements and Compounds Unit 6: Mixtures Students learn to identify mixtures and solutions, and differentiate between certain kinds of solutions. They demonstrate a working knowledge of solubility in their laboratory. Introduction to Mixtures Introductions to Solutions Laboratory: Mixtures 1 Laboratory: Mixtures 2 Laboratory: Solubility 1 Laboratory: Solubility 2 Factors That Influence Solubility Unit 7: Bonds The focus of this unit is bonding: the configuration of electrons and different kinds of bonds. Understanding bonding is essential to a study of physical science. In addition to giving students a firm understanding of bonding, this unit prepares students for understanding what happens in chemical reactions. Electron Configurations Valence Electrons Ionic Bonds Covalent Bonds Polar Covalent Bonds and Electronegativity Hydrogen Bonding and Metallic Bonding Unit 8: Chemical Reactions The focus of this unit is an understanding of chemical reactions. Students observe chemical reactions and draw conclusions about what happened in those reactions. They apply their knowledge of bonding as they balance chemical equations. Students also explore solutions chemistry. Introduction to Chemical Reactions Laboratory: Chemical Reactions 1 www.k12.com { Pg. 5 }
Laboratory: Chemical Reactions 2 Laboratory: Copper-Plating Solution 1 Laboratory: Copper-Plating Solution 2 Chemical Reactions Explained How to Balance a Chemical Equation Solution Chemistry Unit 9: Acids and Bases In this unit, students focus on acid and base reactions. They start out learning the definition of acid and base. They learn to explain and use the ph scale and describe the properties of acids and bases. Students observe acid base reactions and learn the importance of buffers. Acids Bases ph Scale Acid and Base Reaction Buffers Laboratory: Acid Neutralization 1 Laboratory: Acid Neutralization 2 Unit 10: Organic Chemistry Students explore the field of organic chemistry through a thorough exploration of the four macromolecules: proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids. They study the functional groups that make up those compounds. Organic Chemistry Functional Groups Macromolecules Unit 11: Semester Review and Test Semester Review Semester Test Copyright 2008 K12 Inc. All rights reserved. K12 is a registered trademark and the K¹² logo, xpotential and Unleash the xpotential are trademarks of K12 Inc. www.k12.com { Pg. 6 }